Lebanon: 9,000 years of wine history

Wine has been made in Lebanon since 7000BC, although it was around 3,000BC that the Phoenicians spread viniculture throughout the Mediterranean and further afield, via their trading ships. Fast forward several thousand years to 1857 when French Jesuit priests planted Cinsault vines in the Bekaa Valley at what is now Château Ksara, marking the genesis of the modern industry. The presence of the French between the World Wars cemented a lasting wine culture in the country. Most wineries stopped production during the bloody 15-year civil war from 1975-90, but when the guns fell silent, Lebanon joined the wine revolution.

Latest poll

You may have heard of a new wine gadget selling for just under US$300 called 'Coravin' which claims to allow wine to be tasted multiple times from the same bottle without ever removing the cork. Are you...

Intrigued. It sounds like a great idea and I would be interested in buying one (1263 vote, 29%)

Cautious, I would have to see it in action before I made my mind up (1239 vote, 28%)

Sceptical, I wouldn't risk it with my old and rare vintages (687 vote, 16%)

Not interested - if I want a glass of wine I'll just open the bottle (1179 vote, 27%)